ST. LOUIS – Derek Jeter cut short a European vacation with Michael Jordan to accept the Hank Aaron Award last night at Busch Stadium.

While visiting London, Paris, Milan, Berlin and Hamburg with His Airness, Jeter dropped out of the baseball loop.

His re-entry started last night when he was asked about the relationship between Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez, if Jeter would support A-Rod if he struggled next year and did he call George Steinbrenner to suggest he not fire Torre.

“From what I understand, there isn’t any air that needs to be cleared,” Jeter said of the TorreRodriguez relationship in the aftermath of Torre hitting A-Rod eighth in the final ALDS game against the Tigers. “I am not speaking on his behalf or [Torre’s] behalf.” Jeter said he spoke “briefly” to A-Rod since the Yankees were eliminated by the Tigers in the ALDS. Since he was criticized by some for not standing up against the fans who booed A-Rod last year, Jeter was asked about his role in supporting Rodriguez next season.

“What would you like me to do?” Jeter asked.

“You are there and you support him. Everyone supports all your teammates.

I don’t know if there is anything else I can do. Maybe I am not that smart, maybe you can help me out.” As far as campaigning for Steinbrenner to keep Torre with a phone call after doing that in The Post, Jeter said, “You don’t have to lobby for Mr. Torre. If I have a conversation with anyone, I keep it between him and me.” Jeter said he expects to share the left side of the infield with A-Rod next year.

“You never sit around and try to figure out what is going to happen in our organization but Alex has a few more years on his deal so I expect him to be back,” Jeter said.